Hurricane Season Prep Guide for Florida Homeowners: A Complete Checklist
Posted by Michael Joiner on
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 every year, and for Florida homeowners, preparation isn't optional — it's essential. Whether you've lived through multiple storms or you're new to the state, having a solid plan in place before a hurricane threatens can make the difference between safety and disaster. Use this 2026 checklist to make sure your home and family are fully prepared.
Install or Inspect Your Hurricane Shutters
Your first line of defense is protecting your home's openings. If you already have hurricane shutters installed, inspect them before the season starts. Check for corrosion, damaged tracks, missing hardware, or broken slats. Test the operation of each shutter — deploy and retract them to make sure everything works smoothly. For motorized rolling shutters, test the motor and replace batteries in any backup systems. If you don't yet have shutters, now is the time to order. Lead times increase dramatically once a named storm forms, and prices may rise with demand.
Review Your Insurance Policy
Before hurricane season, review your homeowners insurance policy carefully. Confirm that you have adequate coverage for wind damage and verify your deductible amount. Check whether you have flood insurance — standard homeowner policies typically do not cover flood damage. If you have approved hurricane shutters installed, ask your insurer about available discounts — many Florida insurers offer 5–20% reductions on premiums for homes with code-approved hurricane protection.
Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit
Assemble supplies to last at least 72 hours (ideally 7 days). Your kit should include water (one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food and a manual can opener, medications and first aid supplies, flashlights and extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, important documents in a waterproof container, cash in small bills, phone chargers and portable battery packs, and personal hygiene items.
Secure Your Outdoor Property
Loose outdoor items become dangerous projectiles in hurricane-force winds. Before a storm approaches, bring inside or secure patio furniture, grills, planters, garbage cans, and decorations. Trim trees and shrubs to reduce the risk of falling branches. Clear gutters and drains so water can flow freely.
Know Your Evacuation Zone and Plan
Florida has designated evacuation zones based on storm surge risk. Know which zone you're in and what category storm would trigger an evacuation order for your area. Plan your evacuation route in advance and have a backup route. Identify where you'll go and make sure your plan includes pet-friendly options if needed.
Order Hurricane Shutters from Shutters By Empire
At Shutters By Empire, we manufacture hurricane shutters at our factory in Sunrise, Florida. All products are Miami-Dade County and Florida Building Code approved, and we offer factory-direct pricing with nationwide shipping.
Don't wait until it's too late. Call us at 1-888-474-3555 or visit shuttersbyempire.com to get your shutters ordered before hurricane season.